Brisbane paid parking plan irks residents

A residents group fighting the introduction of paid parking permits in 14 Brisbane suburbs has vowed to continue its battle, despite City Hall forging ahead with the plan.

Brisbane City Council last year announced a $10 fee for previously free residential parking permits would apply in 14 areas from the beginning of March.

The fee introduction, capped at $25 per household, was specifically targeted at inner-city suburbs and high-density sites, such as suburbs near hospitals, in a bid to tackle non-resident parking.

Letters have this month gone out to residents of affected suburbs, requesting payment.

However, Residents Against Paid Parking’s Sue Bremner said the group remained committed to the fight.

‘‘We don’t just shrug our shoulders and say it’s over,’’ she said.

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‘‘I think we keep trying to get signatures and would like to encourage people to go and talk to local councillors.

‘‘It’s miserable, sneaky, mean-spirited and inequitable.’’

Deputy Mayor and infrastructure chairman Adrian Schrinner said the progressive introduction of paid parking permits in the chosen suburbs was in response to requests from residents and businesses.

“The residential parking permits were introduced to allow locals to park near their home and deter other motorists from parking in inner-city streets for long periods of time to potentially avoid paying for CBD parking,” Cr Schrinner said.

“However the scheme costs half a million dollars to administer, and in order to recover some of this cost, we will introduce a modest $10 service charge in March.’’

Ms Bremner said she hoped the decision would be repealed in this year’s budget.

‘‘I think they probably thought, ‘it’s 10 bucks and we might get a few phone calls but people will get that it’s only 10 dollars’,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s not the quantum, it’s the principle of the matter. It’s not going to stay at 10.’’

Online petitions protesting the move have attracted more than 1000 signatures.

Ms Bremner said she had been disappointed by requests to meet with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk not eventuating in a meeting.

However, Cr Schrinner said he would meet with the principal petitioner, once the petition closed on January 25.

The petition is also set to be considered by City Hall’s infrastructure committee.